Angela Merkel’s CDU humbled in German regional vote

By Guy Chazan in Berlin

Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats suffered a humbling setback in elections in the central region of Hesse on Sunday, in a result that could badly destabilise Angela Merkel’s grand coalition in Berlin.
The election also dealt a sharp blow to the Social Democrat party, Ms Merkel’s coalition partners, whose share in Hesse fell by one-third compared to the last election in 2013, according to exit polls.